check me out - January 2007 mix (link tbd)

Lou Rawls "Lifetime Monologue"
Charlie Parker and Dizzie Gillespie "Relaxin' at Camarillo"
J-Dilla & Madlib "The Red"
Flevans "Dumb Ballad"
Mumm-Ra "These Things Move in Threes"
The Sunshine Underground "Commercial Breakdown"
The Rapture "Whoo! Alright! Yeah...Uh Huh"
The Noisettes "Sister Rosetta"
Tokyo Police Club "Citizens of Tomorrow"
DeVotchKa "Curse Your Little Heart"
The Good, The Bad, and The Queen "Three Changes"
The Little Ones "Cha Cha Cha"
Albert Hammond Jr. "Hard to Live (in the City)"
The Harlem Shakes "Carpetbaggers"
Yppah "In Two, The Weakly"
Bonobo "Recurring"
Air "Mer du Japon"
Saint Etienne "Through the Winter"
Mates of State "California"
Inara George "Fools in Love"


stream coming soon

Modeselektor DJ set at MIDEM

These guys are incredible. I've been following them for awhile and it's one of those things where the show always makes the final decision on your public stance on whether like them or not.

This was by far the best performance at MIDEM this year. Modeselektor blew out
hi-fi grime/dubstep/dub and some of the deepest bass that was EQ'ed and tweaked beyond belief. Along with freaking dirty ravey electro in front of a huge led screen, everyone was going mad. Keep an eye out for these two.

www.myspace.com/mdslktr
http://www.modeselektor.de/

Coachella lineup announced

MIDEM Day 3

What time is it, you ask?

My watch says 10:45am but my laptop says 1:46am.

Nevermind!

Just look around.

10am – everyone sips espresso.

12pm – the ladies are sipping wine.

4pm – the guys are drinking beer.

6pm – everyone is drinking vodka. Where did it come from??

Has an hour gone by? Just wait for the intercom having to remind people that this is a non-smoking building and you’ll know.

Don’t bother to ask someone if they’re American, you can tell by the following:

1. Tumi business carry-all
2. blasphemously outdated cell phone or Bluetooth headset
3. excessive yak yak yakking or barking into aforementioned headset
4. speed walking

to be continued....

The NRJ Awards

Cannes is abuzz with the MIDEM Music Conference and last night was no exception as the convention center welcomed the NRJ Awards.

Apparently there are a few French celebrities staying in my hotel as papparazi and autograph-seeking fans lined the walkway and jammed the lobby - quite entertaining.

For the full list of winners, go here.

Albert Hammond Jr., Yours To Keep

So The Strokes lead guitarist and frontman has come out with a solo debut. I've always been enamoured by his vocal talent and this record is just amazing. It's lighter than the typical Strokes stuff but isn't a boring exploratory of the inner workings of a pensive musician gone solo. Keep an eye out for this one.

www.myspace.com/alberthammondjr
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Hammond,_Jr.

The Good the Bad and the Queen

The Good, The Bad And The Queen is the new project formed by Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz) and features the legendary Paul Simonon from The Clash on bass, drummer Tony Allen (Fela Kuti) and guitarist Simon Tong (Verve). I'm really digging this record, at first I thought it would be much more uptempo but it's actually not at all.

The guys at NME have this to say:
http://www.nme.com/reviews/the-good-the-bad-and-the-queen/8113

more info:
www.myspace.com/thegoodthebadandthequeen
www.thegoodthebadandthequeen.com

Liberation EP

I highly recommend grabbing this collaboration between the infamous producer Madlib and the amazingly talented (and amazingly well dressed) Talib Kweli - "Liberation". The beats are quality and vocal stylings catchy as all hell. I received it a few days ago and have been listening to it since. http://www.rappcats.com

Nix Pix for Dec 06

Here's a great mix of stuff that i put together with the holidays in mind, which for me means traveling tons, bundling up and spending time with people i haven't seen in a long time. Family, old friends, friendships rekindled and sitting by a real fire while chowing down on biscotti and random holiday goodness. Here, I've included some indie shizz with an occasional twist, enough to keep it real for the holiday season. It's unlike my usual electronic.hiphop mix and so I love this mixtape, and hope you do too.

xo-nic.



HERE

None of your frizzness! dance tunes for 11/06

And So It's Fall.

The air is crisp. Certain sports are in season. I always look forward to the new fall releases as I get ready to slow down and get my fall on - and this year there are a'plenty. For starters check out Darkel, the solo project from AIR member Jen-Benoit Dunkel. The soothing atmospherics of AIR are noticeably present and while the production isn't as unique, it makes for a great listen. Other relaxing picks for fall include the new Album Leaf which I can't seem to get enough of and The Rapture's long-awaited sophmoric release.

Check out the radio player on the music page (see link to the right). A few of my favorite releases are here including the new Charlotte Gainesbourg, The Kooks, and others. Many more to come....

xo nic.

For feedback, submissions,
and supervision inquiries holla: nicole@cifani.com

Saturday October 21

LA CityBeat Presents

Groundswell Live

A Laptop DJ Session



With Morgan Page

(Bedrock/SAW/Nuance)

And d:nero



Saturday, Oct. 21

@ Redwood Bar & Grill

316 W. 2nd St., downtown

21+. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. No cover

www.theredwoodbar.com

Friday 10/12

the 9th annual
FRESH FACES IN FASHION LOS ANGELES SHOW

Evening's Emcees:
Project Runway's Nick Verreos
Actress Garcelle Beauvais

Friday, October 13
7:00 - 11:00pm

Pre-Reception & Accessories Installations: 7:00-8:00
Runway Show: 8:00pm
After-Party: 9:00-11:00pm

**Expected celebrity guests include:

“Lost’s” Emilie de Ravin, "CSI Miami’s” Sofia Milos, singer / actress Macy Gray, “8 Simple Rules’” Amy Davidson, “Boston Public’s” Courtney Peldon, basketball hall of famer Reggie Miller, and “Strong Medicine’s” Tamera Mowry

Barker Hangar
3021 Airport Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(see below for directions)

Music Provided By:
Music Supervisor Amanda Scheer Demme w/ George Augusto & DJ Jonny Abrams
playing cuts from their upcoming CD “His & Hers”...
& legendary Marques Wyatt - DEEP-LA.COM

***Featuring the Los Angeles runway debuts of six womenswear, one menswear & one swimwear designer on the catwalk & four accessory designers in installations***

DESIGNERS:

Womenswear
Augustine
Crispin & Basilio
Fremont
Katy Rodriguez
Trasteverine
Ziji

Menswear
Anzevino & Florence

Swimwear:
Haverhill

Accessories:
Hollieten
Jack Rabbit
LD Tuttle
Marcello Toshi Creazioni

Don't Miss the Hottest Show & Party of L.A. Fashion Week!

This is the show that featured the debuts for designers including Louis Verdad, Kate O'Connor, Michelle Mason, Alicia Lawhon, Claire La Faye, Rami Kashou, Cory Lynn Calter & Grey Ant...be able to say you saw them first!


Selection Committee:
Alisa Lofton, Aero & Co.
Ashleigh Cohen, Fred Segal
Enid Portuguez, la.com
Jayne Seward, California Apparel News
Marcy Medina, WWD
Marlien Rentmeester, Lucky Magazine
Monica Schweiger, WWD
Neely Shearer, Xin Boutique
Nicole Mann Novick, Los Angeles Magazine
Steffie Nelson, LA Weekly

Monday 9/25 - Film Screening

Scion Presents

SCION ROUTE INDEPENDENT FILM SERIES
featuring
JEFF ZIMBALIST'S FAVELA RISING

september 25, screening @ 9pm

The Fine Arts Theater
8556 Wilshire Blvd
Beverly Hills,  Ca  90211

Q&A with music director Matt Mochary

reception with DJ HIER
popcorn and beer

NO RSVP REQUIRED - GET THERE EARLY FOR GUARANTEED SEATING

9/23 Saturday: the dublab jumpoff

SATURDAY, September 23rd
dublab.com & ArtDontSleep present...

THE DUBLAB 7 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & JOHN COLTRANE TRIBUTE
CONCERT

On the Autumnal Equinox we celebrate John Coltrane's birth and dublab's
creative light through an elevated evening of music and art featuring...


+ THE DUBLAB SOUNDSYSTEM & VERY SPECIAL GUESTS


dj sets by:

Hoseh
J.Rocc
Kutmah
Morpho
Derelict
Nobody
Daedelus
Ale (Languis)
Tommy DeNys
Danny Holloway
the Gaslamp Killer
Devendra Banhart
Allen (Plug Research)
Mark Maxwell (KPFK)
frosty (Adventure Time)
Carlos Niño (Ammoncontact/Life Force Trio)
Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel/Postal Service/Figurine)
megAfarmer D (All Night Radio/Beachwood Sparks)


live performances by:

the John Coltrane Tribute Cooperative: Dwight Trible, Derf Reklaw, Phil
Ranelin, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Ralph "Buzzy" Jones, Nick Rosen, Dexter
Story and more.

Mia Doi Todd featuring Andres Renteria, a secret appearance by a true
Amethyst Rockstar, Daedelus + friends and more.


+ MOTION GRAPHICS FROM INSPIRED VISIONARIES

MC This
Dore Burry
the Masses
Animal Charm
the Labrat Matinee
Carolina Chaves and Ben Loiz


+ THE DEBUT OF "THE DREAM SCENE" ART EXHIBITION
A fantasy concert poster exhibition exploring awesome images from
imaginary
happenings.


+ LIVE SCREENPRINTING BY THE HIT + RUN
Choose your own combination and placement of exclusive designs by
Kutmah,
Mike Crivello, Brandy Flower, Gary Ganas & Stephen Serrato and more to
make
your own one-of-a-kind dublab shirt!


+ MOCHILLA MAGIC PHOTO BOOTH
Making memories that matter. Get your photo taken in front of an amazing
dublab graphic backdrop.



All proceeds from the evening to benefit dublab¹s positive music mission.

Advance tickets $7 (paypal to -> info@dublab.com), $12 at the door.


This happening is 21+ and will shake from 7pm-2am at a super secret
location
in downtown LA.

***RSVP REQUIRED FOR DIRECTIONS: rsvp@dublab.com

More info > http://www.dublab.com


supported by: Amoeba, Arthur Magazine, Coke Zero, Flavorpill, Guitar Center,
Plug Research, RE:UP, Scoops Gelato, Sea Level Records, 2K Shirts

Friday 9/22

Thursday 9/21

You'll need to RSVP to shootingallery@aol.com for access to the afterparty at
Hollywood Social (formerly Hollywood Athletic Club).
For more information: 323.882.8340
www.theshootinggallery.org
7403 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046 (adjacent to Guitar Center)


ObeyGiant's danceright at La Cita. I went last week and it was "prom night" - very very fun and a unique party for sure. I would recommend getting on their list and making it to the next one which is tentatively for next month (or so I've heard).





ALSO - La Rocca and Phoenix Play at The Wiltern. 9pm

Wednesday 9/20

Shows going on tonight:

Ratatat @ The Troubadour

The Presets @ Spaceland

Jon Brion @ Largo

The Dirty Dozen Brassband @ Amoeba Records (in-store)

Tues 9/19 - Check Your Ponytail

Friday 9/15 - ART DON'T SLEEP

SPACE INVADERS
A party dedicated to the showcasing of worldwide record collectors, producers and DJs specializing in all that is musically fanatical and fantastical while embracing the equally diverse enthusiast, curiosity seeker and fan that is present to listen, engage yet let loose, but most importantly to dance!

Friday September 15th
B-Music and ArtDontSleep present:
Space Invaders II: Los Angeles Chapter


Global Counter Parts
Prefuse 73 (NYC) | David Holmes (UK) | Jazzman Gerald (UK) | Andy Votel (UK) + Dom Thomas (UK) w/ Mahssa (NYC) | Dante Carfagna (Chi) | Cherrystones (UK) | Koushik (Tor) | Duane Harriott (NYC)

West Coast Deities

Nobody | Daedelus | the Gaslamp Killer | Flying Lotus | Jamie Strong | Haycock | Kutmah

Live T-Shirt Printing
Hit + Run: with designs from Kiel Johnson, Brandy Flower, Mike Crivello, Chris Haycock, Spectr, and Kofie/Draftsmen.


@ A Never Before Used, Secret Location
12$ b4 11pm :: 15$ after :: 21+ :: 10p - 4a
RSVP neccesary for location info :: spaceRSVP@gmail.com
capacity expected :: early arrival suggested

DIRECTIONS:

Location:
255 Mission St.
Downtown Los Angeles

Directions:
Coming from hollywood:
101 South
Exit Mission and make a right

Coming from the west side:
10 East
110 North
101 South
Exit Mission and make a right

Instruction:
Please stay quite as there is a community accross the street and we want to respect its neighbors... Once we.re inside... You know how we do...